How do I supply my fonts?
PC: create a New Folder, either on the Desktop or where you keep your current job file. Then go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Font Folder. Highlight the font you need to include and right click to Copy, then Paste it in your new folder. Include the folder on your transfer disk or send the fonts as attachments with your e-mail.
Mac: create a New Folder. Go to System Folder, Fonts. Highlight the font you need and hold down the option key and drag the font to your folder. Include this folder on your transfer disk.
Can you take my pictures off my web site to use for my brochure?
No, to print your images with quality results we scan them at a resolution of 300 dpi or higher. Images on the internet are 72 dpi and will appear grainy if we attempt to use them to print your brochure.
Can you output my file from Power Point.
Power Point is a presentation program, it is not used for page layout and cannot output colour separations. We purchase the most popular software programs for design and page layout and upgrade as new versions become available. We do not purchase software that is considered personal use programs such as Print Shop Deluxe, which is designed for outputting to your personal printer.
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Bindery
The bindery is where printed products are collated, trimmed, folded and bound. Because of equipment and production sequence, bindery departments may also die cut, emboss, foil stamp and perform other finishing operations.
Simplest type of fold, folding either on the
(A) long or (B) short dimension. Used for bill stuffers, instruction sheets, price lists, etc.
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Made with two parallel folds, either
(A) letterfold or (B) accordion. Used for letters, circulars, envelope stuffers, promotional folders, etc |
Illustrated in three ways: (A) one parallel and one right angle fold, also
called french fold when printing is on one side
of the paper, (B) two parallel folds and (C)
three parallel accordion folds, for ease in
opening. Also, (A) and (B) can be bound into
an 8-page booklet, (C) cannot.
Illustrated in two ways, both with one parallel fold and two right angle folds,
either (A) regular or (B) accordion. |
Shown using three parallel folds. Also, can be bound into a 16-page booklet.
|
Collating
Once folded, the next step is to gather or collate the signatures in a predetermined order. Loose sheets can also be collated for multipart forms and coil bound books. The collating order is checked to be sure of the correct sequence. Collating can be done by hand or machine, depending on the size and complexity of the order.
Stitching
After the signatures are collated, they can be stitched together. There are several methods of stitching: saddlestitch and side-stitch are two methods.
In saddlestitching, the booklet is placed on a saddle beneath a mechanical stitching head, and staples are forced through the backbone or spine of the booklet. This type of binding is the simplest and most inexpensive. Booklets will lie flat and stay open for ease in reading. Most booklets, programs and catalogues are saddlestitched, as well as many magazines. Recommended for booklets under 100 pages.
Side-stitching is used when the bulk is too great for saddle-stitching. The sections are collated, and then placed flat under a stitching head. Since the stitches are inserted about 1/4" from the back edge, the inside margin must be wider than in a saddlestitched booklet. Side-stitched books cannot be completely opened flat. Recommended for books over 100 pages. Many reports are side-stitched.
Perfect Binding
This type of binding is used as an alternative to the expense of sewing and case-binding books. It is a variation of side-stitching and is widely used on paperback books. However, instead of being sewn or stitched, the pages are held together by a flexible adhesive. After the signatures are collated, the spine edge is ground, leaving a rough surface. The adhesive is applied to the spine and the cover is glued into place. The adhesive keeps its strength and resiliency for a long period of time. Pocket novels are perfect bound.
Hardcover Binding
The conventional method, which has been in use for many years, starts with the folding of printed sheets into 16 or 32 page signatures. Four-page endleaves are pasted on the outside of the first and last signatures. The signatures are then collated by machine and sewn together by special sewing machines designed for this purpose.
After they are sewn, the books are trimmed top, front and bottom, and the sewn edges are coated with glue. Each book is passed through a rounding machine which rolls the backbone. The rounded back is characteristic of this type of binding, and gives the book the correct shape to allow the cover to open and close properly. Next, a strip of gauze (super) is glued to the backbone so that the cloth extends outward from both sides of the backbone.
At the same time the books are being bound, the cloth covers (cases) are prepared on a case-making machine. Most covers are printed or stamped with some design and the title of the book. The printing is done on a heavy-duty platen press using special dies and metallic foils. This is called hot foil die stamping. When the cover is finished, the book is automatically put into its case on a casing-in machine which applies paste to the endleaves and fits the cover into place.
Coil Binding
Coil binding is used for notebooks, recipe books and manuals which must open flat. The sheets are punched with a series of round or slotted holes on the binding edge. Then wire, plastic coils or rings are inserted through the holes. Looseleaf notebooks are a form of binding with rings which open to allow removal or addition of pages. In designing a book, allowance must be made in the gutter (inner margin) of the book for the punched holes.
Other Bindery Services
Priority Printing’s complete bindery department can perform most any function required to complete your job.
Some of our specialties include:
- Wire-O Hole Punching - Plastikoil
- Cerlox - Perforating - Eyeletting
- Scoring - Laminating - Folding
- Shrink Wrapping - Stitching - Round Cornering
- Cutting - Padding and more!
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Art
Line Copy
Line copy consisting of solids, lines, figures and text matter. The image has no graduated
tones (shades of grey or another color).
Halftone
A continuous tone image
photographed or scanned
to convert the image into
halftone dots.
Duotone
Photograph reproduced using two halftone negatives, each shot
to emphasize different tonal values in the original. Duotones are
usually printed using black ink and one other ink colour. They can
also be printed using two black plates or combinations of any two
ink colours.
Composite
Four colour process printing
Technique of printing that uses process colours - black, cyan,
yellow and magenta - to simulate full-colour images. Also
called colour process printing, full colour printing, and process
printing. Colour separations are colour originals which are
scanned and separated into the four primary printing colour
components; black, cyan, yellow and magenta.(CMYK - see below)
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Computer File Formats
Graphic data is stored in a variety of ways called formats, for integration with other application programs.
Three of the most popular formats are:
Tagged Image File Format
( .tiff )
This is the most flexible and reliable method for storing images in various resolutions, gray levels and colours.
TIFF was created specifically for storing gray-scale data and it is a standard format for scanned photographs.
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Encapsulated Postscript
( .eps )
This is a popular format for storing vector or object oriented artwork. (Adobe Illustrator, Corel, images)
EPS files can be resized, distorted or cropped and most programs that perform colour separations accept and colour separate them.
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Postscript File
( .ps )
A PostScript file is a purely coded text-base description of an image.
With a PostScript file, you do not need the originating program to print the file. The PostScript file can be sent to a Post Script printer with a download utility. There is no preview image and the graphic essentially loses all editability.
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Portable Document Format
( .pdf )
Portable Docuent Format. Adobe software widely used for document distribution. This universal file format preserves all fonts, formatting, colors, and graphics of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it. PDF files are compact and can be shared, viewed, navigated, and printed exactly as intended with Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free download). Very useful for sending proofs.
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Inks
Offset-Lithographic Inks
Lithographic inks are formulated to print using the principle that oil and water don’t mix, and are generally very strong in colour value to compensate for the lesser amount applied. The average amount of ink transferred to the paper is about half that of letterpress because of the double split of the ink film between the plate and blanket and the blanket and paper.
The development of new vegetable oil additives has improved performance especially of news inks. It is a renewable resource which helps make the industry independent of petrochemical oil vehicles. Linseed and rapeseed oils have been used for years. The newest vegetable oil is soybean oil commonly referred to as soy ink, which has good printing qualities and eliminates smudging from newsprint. Priority Printing uses vegetable based inks.
Metallic Inks
These use metallic powders, such as aluminum and copper alloys, mixed with the proper varnish base, to give a pleasing metallic luster. This is because the powders are actually flakes which deposit in reflective layers. The bronze powder and vehicle for preparing gold inks are mixed just before using, since the majority of gold inks tarnish rapidly after mixing. The varnish used dries rapidly and has sufficient binding qualities to hold the powder to the paper surface. Coated papers give the best results. Metallic inks are generally more expensive.
Magnetic Inks
These inks were developed to increase the speed and efficiency of handling bank cheques. These inks are made with pigments which can be magnetized after printing, and the printed characters are later "recognized" by electronic reading equipment. These inks must be formulated meet the rigid requirements of the reading equipment. Each of the 10 numbers and 4 symbols shown above has a distinctive shape which can feed information to a computer, which processes the information for a number of uses.
Fluorescent Inks
These were formerly limited to screen printing. New finer grind pigments and greater pigment strength now permit colours to be printed in one impression. Duotones and even full-colour process are now feasible. The naturally bright inks reflect and emit light, making use of ultraviolet light waves which other inks cannot utilize. The pigments are not light-fast.
Fluorescent inks should be printed on a white surface. They provide maximum brilliance when contrasted with dark surrounding hues. In some cases fluorescent pink is used as a fifth colour in 4-colour process printing to enhance skin tones, and extend the range of magenta hues in the images. Fluorescent ink is generally more expensive.
Varnish and Lacquer
Used as coatings over printing to protect the printing and increase gloss. Varnish is recommended on coated stock that has large solid areas that receive wear and tear such as book covers.
Lacquers are applied on special coating machines. Most varnishes are applied on-press, from a blank or imaged plate inline with the printing on the press, and drying is by oxidation without heat. Varnish can be tinted with regular inks for unique special effects.
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Digital Output ( Output Printers)
Output printers have two basic functions:
proofing
To be used for review and approval.
demand printing
The output will be used as the final end product, changes usually from a high speed laser printer. The quality, speed and other attributes of the printer will be taken into consideration for these purposes.
Imagesetters
Produce images from an electronic file to film, high resolution paper and sometimes even polyester plates. They are very high quality and recommended for most printed products.
Priority's print drivers are available for download in the Job Centre
Dot Matrix - These printers are serial impact printers, they print one character at a time. The characters or dots are produced by hitting a number of vertically aligned wires with a hammer. The wires strike a ribbon which marks the paper. Multi part forms are the most common use for Dot Matrix printers.
Ink-jet - Ink-jet printers produce images by using liquid inks (mostly water-based) which are ejected from a printhead either by a pumping action by a piezo electric crystal (drop on demand), or by vapor pressure from a vaporized droplet of ink (thermal ink-jet or bubble-jet).
Continuous
ink-jet - These printers use a constant stream of ink which is deflected electrostatically. This is far more complex and costly but can yield extraordinary results, even on plain paper. Solid ink-jet technology uses solid inks which are melted, ejected from a hot printhead and then freeze on contact with paper. This approach offers good quality on plain bond paper.
Pages output from Dot Matrix, Inkjet, Bubble Jet or Continuous Ink Jet printers are not recommended for use as camera-ready copy.
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Selecting the Right Paper
Paper Characteristics
Grain is an important factor for both printing and binding. It refers to the position of the fibers. During papermaking most fibers are oriented with their length parallel to that of the paper machine (machine direction) and their width running across the machine (cross direction).
Grain affects paper in the following ways, and these need to be considered when selecting paper:
- paper folds smoothly with the grain direction and roughens or cracks when folding cross-grain
- paper is stiffer in the grain direction
- paper expands or contracts more in the cross direction when exposed to moisture changes
In books and catalogues, grain direction should be parallel with the binding edge. If it is perpendicular with the binding edge, the pages turn less easily and do not lie flat. Paper for sheetfed offset is usually grain long.
Paper Finishes
Finish is a complex paper property related to its smoothness. The usual finishes of uncoated book papers are, in order of increasing smoothness: antique, eggshell and vellum. Coating further improves the finish and smoothness.
Some finishes are embossed on the paper after it leaves the machine. These are produced by a rotary embosser, with the paper passing through it dry and under pressure. Commonly used embossing patterns are linen, laid and felt finish.
Paper Grades
Paper may be defined in terms of its use. Each grade serves a purpose, usually suggested by its grade name. Some of the most common classifications of printing papers are bond, coated, text, cover, book, offset, index, label, tag and newsprint. Each grade will have several levels of quality, colour, texture and weight.
Bond
These papers are commonly used for flyers and business forms.
Coated
These papers are used when high printing quality is desired because of its greater surface smoothness and uniform ink receptivity. There are many kinds: cast coated, gloss coated, dull coated, coated one and two sides, etc. Widely used for brochures, posters and catalogues.
Offset
These papers are used for trade and textbooks as well as general printing. They are less expensive than text papers, and are made in antique or smooth finishes. Book papers have a wider range of weights and bulk than text papers so it is possible to secure almost any desired bulking.
Text
Text papers also have interesting textures and attractive colours. They enjoy frequent use for announcements, booklets and brochures.
Writing
These papers are noted for their interesting textures and attractive colours. They are lighter weight than text, but higher quality than bond. They are used for stationery packages as most come with matching envelopes, as well they can be used for brochures and booklets.
Recycled Papers
In response to growing demand for recycled paper products, paper recycling is increasing worldwide. Recycled newsprint has been used for years, but recycled papers for business and commercial printing only came into moderate use during the late 1980s. Driven by concerns over landfill closures and the need to reduce municipal solid waste, shipments of recycled fiber content printing and writing grades are increasing rapidly. While a small portion of these grades have performance or appearance characteristics not equal to their virgin counterparts, the vast majority exhibit no noticeable differences.
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Printing Plates
At Priority Printing we have the capabilities to make two different types of plates, each serving it’s own purpose.
Polyester Plates
Printing plate made of plastic. They are exposed and developed directly from camera ready artwork, all in the same camera without using negatives or imargo by an imagesetter using a laser. Excellent for medium runs up to 25,000. Used in one colour work. Very good for reproducing books. Screens can be used up to 100 linescreen. Photos reproduce at 85 line with fair to good results. These plates cannot be preserved or reused. Very cost effective.
Metal Plates
Printing plate made of metal, usually aluminum. Metal plates can last for 100,000 plus impressions, hold finer detail, and allow colors to register tightly. Metal plates are exposed using film rather than camera-ready artwork, therefore cost more and require more time to make. Some imagesetters make metal plates using lasers or electric sparks. Metal plates can be preserved for future printing and are used for multi colour and process work.
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The Printing Press
Offset Presses
Offset presses have three printing cylinders (plate, blanket and impression) as well as inking and dampening systems. As the plate cylinder rotates, the plate comes in contact with the dampening rollers first, and then the inking rollers. The dampeners wet the plate so the non-printing areas repel ink. The inked image is then transferred to the rubber blanket, and paper is printed as it passes between the blanket and impression cylinders.
Makeready is minimal. The wraparound plates can be moved slightly for proper register. The resilient rubber blanket compensates for the variable thickness and texture of paper stocks. A wide range of papers can be used. Halftones can be printed with text and solids on both rough and smooth surface papers.
Offset Sheetfed Presses
Sheetfed presses can print at speeds up to 15,000 impressions per hour and are made as single or multicolour presses up to 10 units. Advantages of sheetfed printing are: a large number of sheet or format sizes can be printed on the same press, and waste sheets can be used during makeready, so good paper is not spoiled while getting position, colour or ink-water balance up for running.
Sheetfed presses are available with perfecting features. The perfecting unit allows the press to print both sides of the paper in one pass through the press. Four of Priority Printing’s presses have perfecting features.
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Proofreading
Proofreading is done at several stages in the typesetting process. Initially a proof is checked by the typesetter, then by your customer service representative and once it is completed to their satisfaction, sent to you the customer. It is imperative that proofs are read carefully and thoroughly.
How to proof:
Look to see if the general layout is correct.
(ie. functional or appealing to the eye)
Read carefully looking for spelling or punctuation errors. Computer software programs cannot be relied upon to spellcheck for a number of reasons. They cannot recognize proper names, they cannot check for comprehension (ie: hen typed instead of then) and not all programs have spellcheck features.
Read through for comprehension. Does everything make sense?
Proofreading Marks
Have a look at a sample of editors marks.
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Proofs
Proofs come in many forms, depending on the goals and complexity of the job.
Bindery Proofs - For jobs involving complex bindery procedures. These are made after printing is complete and confirm correct folding, page orders.
Imposition Proof
This is a quick, low resolution proof output on single sided 24 lb bond ink jet paper for spot colour work. It is then backed up to show colour break, position of elements and type. It is not colour accurate, but is finished and bound to the same specifications as the finished project.
Integral Proofs (one piece) - For four colour process jobs. Integral proofs show register of separations and show how colours will reproduce on press. They are known by several brand names, such as Agfaproof, Cromalin, Fujiproof, Matchprint, Pressmatch, and Signature.
Photocopies - Proofs for quick printing jobs. Photocopies of mechanicals may simulate the final product of a black only job.
Plotter Proof
A high resolution ink jet print out that is colour managed to our presses for full colour printing. It is output on Epson semi-gloss paper to give the best representation possible. Please note, colour accuracy is dependent on many factors, including printing stock and spot colour to CMYK conversions. Therefore, colour shifts may occur between plotter proof and press sheet. It is not guaranteed to be 100% colour accurate.
Press Proofs - For jobs where the customer and/or printer want to ensure that all quality standards have been met. Press proofs show the job running on the press. Any changes to the job at this time, or delays in arriving at a press proof are chargeable.
Toll Free: 1.800.465.2237 Employment opportunities with Priority Printing
Because we consult fully with our clients, 
